The Venue
Each summer, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail plays host to an array of cultural and entertainment offerings, ranging from internationally renowned dance and classical music presentations, courtesy of the Vail Dance Festival and the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, to the free weekly concerts of the Hot Summer Nights series. In addition, local chorale and theater presentations annually grace the Amphitheater stage, while headlining concerts round out the summer calendar.
SEATING + CAPACITY
This spectacular, intimate outdoor venue can host ~2,600 guests. It is divided into lawn and pavilion seating with a breathtaking view of the Rocky Mountains. Expansive grassy hillside Lawn seating is available on a first come, first served basis. The covered Pavilion area seats 1,265 guests. It is divided into 4 sections with approximately 17 rows in each section.
The GRFA provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities, including those with limited mobility. View ADA Venue Access Map HERE.
Tickets + Box Office
The Amp Box Office is located at 530 S Frontage Rd East in Vail, CO, adjacent to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Ford Park. The Box Office is open daily from 11am to 5 pm or through intermission on any performance evening (mid-May to early September). In the winter and spring when the venue is closed, tickets may be purchased at the Vilar Performing Arts Center Box Office in Beaver Creek.
CONTACT THE BOX OFFICE
970.845.TIXS(8497)
888.920.ARTS(2787)
boxoffice@vvf.org
PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE
Ticketsvail.com is the official online ticketing provider for Vail Valley Foundation events at The Amp such as Amp Summer Concerts and the Vail Dance Festival. Bravo! Vail Music Festival tickets can be purchased at bravovail.org.
TICKETING INFORMATION
Tickets & programming are subject to change. One ticket per person. Children over the age of two must have a ticket. Additional fees may apply to any purchase. ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO EXCHANGES.
Lost Tickets: If you are unable to locate your tickets, please contact the box office to reprint them. Please note a reprint voids all previous tickets. Reprint fees may apply.
Third Party Tickets: vaildance.org, vvf.org and ticketsvail.com are the only official online ticketing providers for all performances at the GRFA. Tickets purchased from other sources may be more expensive, invalid and/or ineligible for box office assistance. The Amp and the Vail Valley Foundation are not responsible for tickets purchased from other sources.
ADA Accessible Tickets: The GRFA provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities, including those with limited mobility. ADA Accessible seats are available. Scroll down to learn more.
Attendees are subject to all GRFA Venue Policies/Terms & Conditions of Admission/COVID Waivers. Violation of GRFA Policies/Terms & Conditions of Admission can result in removal from the premises and revocation of any ticket or invitation without refund.
ACCESSIBILITY AT THE AMP
The Amp provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities, including those with limited mobility. Click the button below for information regarding accessibility features, policies, and recommendations for your visit.
Parking + Directions
The Amp is located at 530 S Frontage Rd East in Vail, CO, adjacent to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Ford Park.
Driving directions: Take exit 176 off I-70. Head south toward Vail mountain, into the main Vail roundabout. Exit the roundabout so you are heading east on South Frontage Road. The Vail Parking structure will be a short distance up on the right, where summer parking is FREE. Alternatively, you can continue on to the Ford Park parking lot, where attendants will collect payment by credit card for paid parking.
Walking directions: From the Vail Village parking structure, exit to the east. Walk northeast toward the softball fields until you see the paved walkway into the park on your right. Follow that path straight down to the Amphitheater. Golf carts run frequently between the top of the path and the venue prior to and following shows. You can also take the Gore Creek Trail directly to the venue. See maps below.
From the Ford Park parking lot: look for the bike path at the southeast end of the tennis courts. Follow the path directly downhill to the Amphitheater.
Free Vail Bus: From the Vail Village or Lionshead parking structures, guests may hop on a free bus to get to The Amp. There are a couple of bus routes to choose from including Golf Course, East Vail, or Intown. Click HERE to view the bus schedule and map.
Parking: Limited paid parking is available at Ford Park, located northeast of the Amphitheater on the Frontage Road, and at the Soccer Field, located southeast of the Amphitheater on Vail Valley Drive. Check the parking availability HERE. Parking in the Ford lot for Amp events is $15; paid by credit card (no cash accepted).
Free parking is available in the summer at the Vail Village and Lionshead Village Parking structures, both a short walk or shuttle ride to the venue. Learn more about summer parking options in Vail HERE. Courtesy cart service is provided to the facility on a regular basis before and after each performance for those needing transportation assistance.
CONCESSIONS
Guests can take advantage of our various concessions areas in the venue that offer a wide array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. We also offer snacks like pretzels, popcorn, and candy. In addition, guests can purchase food from our grill including tasty burgers, brats, tacos, and more! Please note that our concessions are 100% cashless.
Provided by Gore Creek Concessions & Big Delicious Catering.
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Are you shopping for someone else and unsure what to get? Let them choose with a Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Gift Certificate. Gift Certificates can only be applied toward ticket purchases to any Vail Dance Festival or Amp Summer Concert performances.* Gift Certificates can be sent by email (no charge) or in the mail ($2.50 charge). Gift Certificates do not incur any additional processing fees.
Redemption: Gift Certificates can be redeemed over the phone, in person or online. To redeem by phone: call us at (970) 845-8497 To redeem in person: come to the box office at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail or the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek (open year-round) To redeem online: choose the “Pay with a Gift Certificate” option on the billing page
*All tickets subject to availability. Gift Certificates can be applied as payment to any eligible performance, cannot be redeemed for concessions or merchandise. The Gift Certificate is non-transferable, has no cash value, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. All Gift Certificates expire 5 years from the date they are issued.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT TIME DO GATES OPEN?
Gates to the venue open one hour prior to showtime unless otherwise printed on your ticket.
WHAT ITEMS CAN I BRING THROUGH THE GATES?
- Guests are allowed to bring food into the venue so long as it is done within venue bag policies (see below).
- Personal sized coolers
- No larger than 18qt.
- Please be prepared to show all items stored.
- Empty Water bottles
- Non-alcoholic, commercially-sealed beverages
- Blankets or Tarps (No larger than 5’x7′)
- Umbrellas
- Short-legged chairs to sit on the lawn (EX: Crazy Creek or REI Trail Chair) – chairs can be no more than 5 inches off the ground. SEE EXAMPLES HERE.
- Limited stroller parking is available along the wall adjacent to the main restrooms. You will not be able to take your stroller to your seat. The Amp is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- If you ride your bike, there is a small public bike rack located across from the box office near the creek. Bike Valet may be available.
WHAT ITEMS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE AMPHITHEATER?
Violators are subject to removal from the event and items are subject to confiscation.
- Persons entering the venue may be subject to a search
- Bag policy:
- No oversized bags. Scroll down to see more information about our bag policy.
- Lawn Chairs with legs taller than 5 inches (you should not be able to roll a softball under the chair). SEE EXAMPLES HERE.
- Blankets or Tarps larger than 5’x7′
- Weapons of any kind including but not limited to: firearms (with or without permit), knives, pepper spray
- Smoking of any kind (including e-cigarettes and vape pens)
- Alcohol/Illegal drugs
- Pets/Animals (except for service animals as defined by the ADA)
- Flags or Totems (self-crafted, decorated sticks or poles, or anything else that might block someone’s view)
- Hula Hoops
- Laser Pens/Pointers
- Glitter/Confetti/Spray Paint/Silly String
- Bullhorns or noisemaking devices (e.g. Air Horns, Drums, Whistles)
- Flares/Fireworks
- Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters, In-Line Skates, or personal motorized vehicles, unless it is an ADA approved device
- Hammocks
- Tents
- Full Facial Coverings (e.g. Halloween Masks or Full Face Ski Masks)
- Drones or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or any other remote-controlled flying devices
- Camera and recording device policy:
- The Amp enforces a no-video/audio capture policy at major events*. Professionals who wish to capture still imagery, videography, or audio must apply for a credential HERE. *Spectators attending a graduation ceremony are welcome to bring recording devices and cameras of any kind.
WHAT IS THE BAG POLICY?
- All bags are subject to search (please help us by packing your bag with this in mind)
- No oversized bags will be allowed (for example: duffle bags, large backpacking bags, suitcases)
WHAT IS THE VENUE CAPACITY?
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater can host up to 2,800 guests within the pavilion and lawn seating areas. Please note that the venue tends to fill up quickly, so we recommend arriving when the gates open.
IS LAWN SEATING GENERAL ADMISSION?
Yes, lawn seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?
All tickets sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
WHAT IS THE INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY?
The Amphitheater stage and pavilion seating sections have a large roof protecting it from adverse weather. The Vail Valley is famous for afternoon and evening hit-and-run rain showers. Weather is generally not a factor for most shows. We encourage you to check weather forecasts prior to attending a show at the venue.
Should a performance be changed or postponed due to weather conditions, announcements will be made on the Amphitheater website and social channels regarding pertinent details.
HOW DO I ACCESS THE BETTY FORD GARDENS?
The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is an internationally acclaimed botanic gardens known for its alpine horticulture, education and conservation, and is the highest elevation botanical garden in the world situated at 8,200’ (2,700 m) in the central Rocky Mountains. The Gardens attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually to see its unique collection of alpine and mountain plants collected from around the world.
The Gardens is located to the west of the Amphitheater. More information about the Gardens can be found at their main website or in Vail at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Education Center.
WHAT ARE THE CONCESSION OPTIONS AT THE AMPHITHEATER?
We plan to offer a wide range of beverage and food options this summer. Check out the concessions offerings HERE. Please note that our concessions are 100% cashless.
*Guests are allowed to bring food into the venue so long as it is done within venue bag policies. Picnics and commercially sealed non-alcoholic beverages are permitted.
WHAT ARE THE BOX OFFICE HOURS?
The Box Office is open daily from 11am to 5pm or through intermission on any performance evening, June through mid-September.